Finding Relief from Postpartum Back, Neck, and Hip Pain
The time after childbirth is a season of profound physical transition. Your body has just done something incredible, and you are immediately taking on the physical work of caring for a newborn. It is common to experience aches and pains during this time, but it is a misconception that lingering pain is just a normal part of motherhood that you must endure.
One of my patients recently shared this experience:
“After I had my baby, I felt that my body was in need of help. I didn’t feel whole and there were many aches and pains that I accepted as my new normal.”
If this sounds familiar, I want you to know there is hope for full, pain-free function.
Why Your Body Hurts
During pregnancy, your body releases hormones like relaxin to deliberately loosen the ligaments in your lower back and pelvis to prepare for birth. After delivery, it takes time for these ligaments to regain their normal strength, leaving the pelvic joints temporarily vulnerable to strain.
Coupled with this, caring for a baby involves new physical routines. Activities like nursing or carrying your baby on one hip can sometimes create physical strain on your neck, shoulders, and hips. The goal of chiropractic care is not to avoid these important bonding moments, but to help your body heal and become more resilient so you can hold and feed your baby exactly how you want to, without discomfort.
Understanding Muscle Dormancy
Sometimes, standard rest or exercise does not resolve postpartum pain. This is often due to a phenomenon called muscle dormancy. The physical stress of pregnancy and birth can cause the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles to go dormant.
When a muscle is dormant, it simply does not respond well to signals from the brain. As a result, other areas like the back and hips have to overwork to compensate, leading to pain.
Additionally, the brain can sometimes hold onto the memory of physical trauma. It might continue to send pain signals even after the original joint or tissue has actually healed.
Our Approach at Chambers Chiropractic
We use specific, gentle techniques to resolve these underlying issues and restore your body's natural function.
Injury Recall Technique: This technique helps the brain appropriately process and clear stored trauma memories. By clearing this trauma, the body can stop sending unnecessary pain signals and finish the healing process.
Muscle Reactivation: We use this technique to wake up dormant abdominal and pelvic muscles, allowing them to immediately regain their strength.
Gentle Adjustments: Chiropractic adjustments help the body recover from the stress of childbirth. We use upper cervical and Activator techniques along with other chiropractic adjustments that are exceptionally gentle and do not require heavy force.
“We used lots of muscle reactivation for my back and hip... We did some chiropractic adjustments on my spine that helped with my neck and back. The combination of both was the perfect treatment and my pain hasn’t come back since!”
Reclaiming Your Strength
Our ultimate goal is not just temporary pain relief. We want to help you restore true strength and resilience. You deserve to feel healthy so you can confidently and comfortably take care of your family.
As our patient shared:
“I’m able to pick up and carry my baby with no pain. It’s been a big blessing to my life to know I can be there for my baby when she needs it without pain. Muscle Reactivation is a wonderful way of feeling whole again!”
If you are a mother in Utah County experiencing postpartum back, neck, or joint pain, we are here to help. Contact Chambers Chiropractic today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward feeling like yourself again.
